The Hydrographic Society of America (THSOA) developed the Student Outreach Program to introduce the field of hydrography and associated education and employment opportunities to undergraduate students. The first Student Outreach program took place at the 2003 US Hydrographic Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi with three students attending. The program has grown and developed. It now includes conference mentors and an Intro to hydrography day. The last outreach program at the US Hydro Meeting in Maryland in 2017 had 24 participating students. We will accept 18 students into the program in 2019.

Attending the conference will provide the students with an opportunity to interact with professional hydrographers and vendors, both in the exhibit hall and with the various on-the-water demonstrations. Student activities will also include an introduction to hydrographic surveying, opportunities to attend workshops, and a luncheon where employment opportunities, and the graduate programs available at the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of New Hampshire, will be presented.

To encourage student attendance, THSOA will waive registration fees for the selected students; this includes meeting attendance, workshops, evening activities, and the luncheon. In addition, THSOA is soliciting donations to offset the student housing and transportation to the meeting. We have been able to fully fund attendance for all participating students since the inception of the program thanks to the generosity of the THSOA corporate sponsors.

This experience has provided opportunities in the field of hydrography and marine science for some of the students. Outreach program alumni have completed internships with NAVO and private companies, and some are now employed by NOAA, the USACE and THSOA corporate members.